I've heard that Oil seed Rape makes them grumpy, I wonder why?
I'll be coming tomorrow Paul. I'm assuming that food is not involved
this time?
Looking forward to it :D
Ann
On 13/09/2019 11:50, Oxnatbees wrote:
I will bring spare suits and veils. I have 2 or 3 spare suits and several veils.
On my previous visit I was struck by how calm his bees were, actually. He warned they were a bit grumpy "because of the rape" but that didn't seem to be the case. I asked him what he meant by "because of the rape". He pointed at some far off trees and explained the bees were currently gathering nectar from Oil Seed Rape beyond those trees. So they were having to fly a long way, and fly UP to get over the belt of trees - this was hard work! And bees get a bit grumpy if they only have one food. It was insights like this that made me realise there was a lot to learn from this man.
Paul
On Fri, 13 Sep 2019, 11:24 Kerry Dawson, <kerrydawson99@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:kerrydawson99@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
Hi Paul, Chris and I hope to be there. Do you have a spare suit
for Chris to use, if needed?
*From:*oxnatbees-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:oxnatbees-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<oxnatbees-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:oxnatbees-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>> *On Behalf Of *Oxnatbees
*Sent:* 13 September 2019 09:20
*To:* oxnatbees@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:oxnatbees@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
*Subject:* [oxnatbees] Re: Visit to Ron Hoskins apiary this
Saturday 2PM
Or £10 if you're feeling flush, well served etc.
My impression is there will be ~10 of us, getting 2 hours'
instruction from someone with 60 years' experience and an
international rep, who is trying to maintain / improve a local
strain of bee with special abilities and educate others. To me,
that's worth £10 but for younger folk with children and stretched
budgets £5 is appropriate. I imagine most will contribute £5 8)
On Fri, 13 Sep 2019, 09:06 Eric Asher,
<eric.asher@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:eric.asher@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>>
wrote:
Suggested donation? £5?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*From:*oxnatbees-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:oxnatbees-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<oxnatbees-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:oxnatbees-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>> on behalf of
Oxnatbees <oxnatbees@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:oxnatbees@xxxxxxxxx>>
*Sent:* 13 September 2019 08:36
*To:* oxnatbees@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:oxnatbees@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<oxnatbees@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:oxnatbees@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>>
*Subject:* [oxnatbees] Visit to Ron Hoskins apiary this
Saturday 2PM
I forgot to say the visit starts at 2PM. I'm guessing it will
extend to 4:30PM
Paul
On Tue, 10 Sep 2019, 09:09 Oxnatbees, <oxnatbees@xxxxxxxxx
<mailto:oxnatbees@xxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
This is a reminder that we have a group visit to Ron
Hoskin's apiary in a few days.
His website is here:www.swindonhoneybeeconservation.org.uk
<http://www.swindonhoneybeeconservation.org.uk>
Although most of our events are free, he has asked that
visitors make a donation to Swindon Honeybee Conservation
on the day to support their work in developing varroa
resistant bees.
To summarise their approach: they have parallel interests
to us (treatment free beekeeping), but have approached the
problem from a very different angle, using their skills in
conventional bee breeding. Their system works, but is
ignored by the BBKA. I am not sure how stable their bee
strain is, but it is probably safe for us to use (without
creating fierce crosses), as his original stock was from
this area.
The weather forecast is sunny, so assume we will be
walking among flying bees, i.e. take a veil (or a full
suit if you are paranoid). Last time I went there were 80
hives but the bees ignored us.
Here are his directions for finding the place:
My apiary and office are within Stanton Country Park, near
Stanton Fitzwarren. north of Swindon on the A361 from
Lechlade,
With Highworth behind you head toward Swindon.
Immediately after the first roundabout turn right.
Stanton Park is about 300 metres on the left.
The post-code *SN6 7SF*will get you to this point
Take the long drive into the park to the car park and turn
right
Park behind the large barn
Enter the adjacent Information Centre and my office is on
the first floor on the left.
